Live Late Loud

Longtime Bowie collaborator Reeves Gabrels was the underappreciated genius behind much of Tin Machine, as well as several tracks on Bowie's "Black Tie, White Noise", "Outside" and "Earthling". His searing guitar can be heard on everything from the Cure to the Rolling Stones to Public Enemy. He's a pretty versatile guitarist and a decent singer. Through two studio albums, Gabrels has layered guitars in a sonic wall approach that is stunning. The intricate play between tones and lines would challenge any guitar wizard, and it's incredibly difficult to recreate that sort of thing live.Gabrels keeps true to the themes of the songs but forgoes much of the flash in service of the whole.

There are a ton of guitar wizards out there, but take the flash away and most of them simply can't write very interesting songs. That Gabrels can strip out much of the bells and whistles and have the songs still sound just as powerful is a testament to his ability as a complete songwriter.The album was recorded over several dates, and it is obvious as several of the tracks are muddy enough that the bass is almost lost. Despite this Live Late Loud is an incredible document of his capabilites in a live performance. The cover of "Dig A Pony" has a great arrangement and justifies the risk of covering a Beatles song. "Yesterday's Gone", written with Robert Smith, acheives even greater poignancy in the immediacy and intimacy of a live context.

Hot Spots: Bus Stop, Standing, Firedome, Comeback, Arrow, Dig a Pony, Yesterday's Gone.